An Introduction to Childhood: Anthropological Perspectives on Children's Lives

In An Introduction to Childhood, Heather Montgomery examines
the role children have played within anthropology, how they have
been studied by anthropologists and how they have been portrayed
and analyzed in ethnographic monographs over the last one hundred
and fifty years.

Offers a comprehensive overview of childhood from an
anthropological perspective

Draws upon a wide range of examples and evidence from different
geographical areas and belief systems

Synthesizes existing literature on the anthropology of
childhood, while providing a fresh perspective

Engages students with illustrative ethnographies to illuminate
key topics and themes

Heather Montgomery is a Senior Lecturer in Childhood Studies at The Open University. She has written on children and sexuality, tourism, children’s rights and on the role of children in anthropology. Her publications include Modern Babylon? Prostituting Children in Thailand (2001), Understanding Childhood: An Interdisciplinary Approach (2003, with Martin Woodhead), and Changing Childhoods: Global and Local (2003, with Martin Woodhead and Rachel Burr).

“Although this work will be most useful for an upper-level
undergraduate audience, more advanced readers will also enjoy it
for its readability, the considerable breadth of literature
covered, and its serious attempt to place children at the forefront
of anthropology.” (Journal of the Finnish
Anthropological Society, 1 April 2011)

"Heather Montgomery illustrates the many ways that
anthropologists have written about children over the past 150 years
with enviable clarity and economy. Her book will be required
reading for students, academics, and professionals in understanding
childhood in context." (Journal of Folklore Research, 19 January
2011)

"An Introduction to Childhood is nicely written and makes the
case well for undergraduate audiences that it is important to
consider cultural differences in ideas about childhood. This is a
timely issue and the book should be a useful addition to
introductory undergraduate courses." (International Joumal of
Sociology of the Family, February 2010)

"A timely, readable, and important work for all academic
libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended." (CHOICE, October
2009)

"This book deserves a wide audience; it is an important resource
not only for students of anthropology but also to people working in
child protection in cross-cultural settings. ... Invaluable."
(Children & Society, 2009)

"Throughout the book, the discussions give an insight into
classic and contemporary anthropology related to children, which is
important for everyone working with research in similar fields. The
book is especially relevant for students. The style is clear and
approachable … .Although it is not required of the reader to
read the book from cover to cover, I strongly recommend doing so."
(Childhood in the Past, 2009)

"This book provides a fascinating and comprehensive overview of the
social anthropology of childhood, drawing on a range of material
generated over the past century. It is written in an engaging,
accessible style, and will be required reading for students,
academics and professionals interested in understanding childhoods
in contexts."
—Viginia Morrow, Reader in Childhood Studies,
Institute of Education, University of London

"In this clearly written and informative book Heather Montgomery
demonstrates the important contribution that contemporary
perspectives on children's lives can make to the older
anthropological tradition.....a valuable addition to the
canon."
—Allison James, University of Sheffield

"This marvelous volume fills a long-standing need for a thorough
history of anthropology's interest in childhood. There is excellent
coverage of topics central in current thinking about child
development such as discipline and sexuality as well as topics such
as spirit children that are unique to anthropology. Montgomery's
writing is engaging and accessible and this work should be warmly
welcomed by scholars and their students."
—David Lancy, Utah State University

"Dr. Heather Montgomery has provided the field with an important
resource for introducing our students to the invaluable
contributions anthropology has made to understanding children and
childhood. The volume is wide-ranging in scope covering both
classic and contemporary issues."
—Jill Korbin, Associate Dean, Professor of
Anthropology, Director, Schubert Center for Child Studies,
Case-Western Reserve University

"Based on close reading of ethnographic texts, this book
synthesises the many ways that anthropologists have written about
children over the years with an enviable clarity and economy.
Eminently readable, it will be of interest to those both outside
anthropology and outside academia who have any interest in the
world's children. The chapter on the many ways of thinking about
unborn children is particularly fine and forces us to consider more
deeply our own understanding of humanity and personhood."
—Laurence Brockliss, Director of Centre for the
History of Childhood, University of Oxford

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